Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Balmain suburb profile
Balmain, NSW · Postcode 2041
This Balmain suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Balmain, NSW (postcode 2041). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Balmain with nearby suburbs.
Balmain at a glance
Population
10,454
Median rent
$625/wk
Household income
$3,039/wk
Median age
42
Balmain trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+8.1% over 10 years
Population
10,454
was 10,453 in 2016
+1 · 0%
Median rent
$625/wk
was $600/wk in 2016
+$25 · +4.2%
Household income
$3,039/wk
was $2,550/wk in 2016
+$489 · +19.2%
Median age
42
was 40 in 2016
+2 · +5%
Dig deeper: Balmain population growth · Balmain then and now
Balmain vs nearby & Greater Sydney
Median Census 2021 figures for Balmain, nearby suburbs (8), and the Sydney metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
+27.6% vs area
- Balmain$625/wk
- Nearby$608.5/wk
- Sydney$490/wk
Household income
+43.4% vs area
- Balmain$3,039/wk
- Nearby$2,939/wk
- Sydney$2,119.5/wk
Median age
+5% vs area
- Balmain42
- Nearby38.5
- Sydney40
Personal income
+74.5% vs area
- Balmain$1,577/wk
- Nearby$1,463.5/wk
- Sydney$903.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in NSW. See Sydney rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Balmain compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Balmain ranks among Australia's most advantaged suburbs. It shows high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 101,080.8
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 101,154.9
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 61,026.4
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 101,179.9
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Balmain on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Balmain, NSW.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Balmain people
- Population
- 10,454
- Median age
- 42
- Born overseas
- 31.2%
- Average household size
- 2.2
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Balmain income
- Median household income
- $3,039/wk
- Median personal income
- $1,577/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Balmain housing
- Median rent
- $625/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $3,986/mo
- Separate houses
- 19.3%
- Flats & apartments
- 33.4%
- Owned outright
- 25.3%
- Mortgaged
- 25%
- Rented
- 36.8%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 11.4%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Balmain work
- Employment to population
- 66%
- Unemployment rate
- 3.9%
- Year 12 or above
- 81%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 2041)
Compare Balmain with nearby suburbs
Balmain in numbers
Balmain had 10,454 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 198th most populous suburb or locality in NSW out of 4,347. The median age is 42, close to the typical NSW suburb. The average household has 2.2 people. 31.2% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 25.3% own their home outright, 25% are paying a mortgage, 36.8% rent. Flats and apartments make up 33.4% of dwellings, with 19.3% separate houses. Median rent was $625/wk, 56% above the typical NSW suburb.
Median household income was $3,039/wk, 68% above the typical NSW suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 3.9%. 81% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 10 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 0% (from 10,453 to 10,454). Median rent moved from $600/wk to $625/wk (+4.2%).
Balmain suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Balmain, NSW?
- The median weekly rent in Balmain was $625/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Balmain, NSW?
- Balmain had 10,454 residents at the 2021 Census, up 0% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Balmain?
- Median household income in Balmain was $3,039/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Balmain?
- 36.8% of occupied homes in Balmain were rented, 25.3% were owned outright and 25% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Balmain suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Balmain. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Sydney